Obs. [Perh. f. bot, var. of BAT sb.2 + FORK. Mätzner suggests OF. botte ‘bottle’ of hay, Stratmann Du. bot, blunt.] ? A forked stick.

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c. 1350.  Wright’s Lyric P., xxxix. 110. Mon in the mone stond ant strit, on is bot forke is burthen he bereth.

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